Car-coupling



, UNITED Srarns PATENT Oriana.

PETER A. AIKMAN, OF WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOB OF ONE- FOURTH TO \VM. It. MFRWVIN, JOSEPH BOOTH, AND \VILLIAM ROBINSON,

OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

CAR-=COUPLING.

EEPECIFIQAEION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331A67, dated December 1,1885.

Application filed September 16, 1885. Serial No. 177,269. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER A. AIKMAN, of Windsor, in the county of Essex and Province of Onta'io, Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and novel improvements in car-couplings; and the invention consists in the peculiar con struction, arrangement, and combinations of the various parts, whereby a coupler is pro duced that is automatic in its action of coup ling, and the necessity of going between the cars to uncouple is avoided, all as more fully hereinafter set forth.

Figure 1 is a vertical central longitudinal section through my improved coupler, showing the position of the parts when coupled. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the hook depressed or in its uncoupled position. Fig. 3 is a modification of Figs. 1 and 2, the engagement of the hook with the link, this figure being through the gravity of the hook, instead of the book being forced to such engagement under the action of the spring. Fig. at is a diagram showing the arrangement of rockshafts and levers at the end of the car, by means of which the cam is operated.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, A represents a draw-bar provided with the head B. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 there is a channel or slot cut in the bottom face of the draw-bar and head, in which is in serted the coupling-hook 0. A bolt, a, passing through the draw-bar laterally and through a hole near the inner end of the hook or latch, pivotally secures such hook within the draw head. This hook at its heel is provided with an upwardly projecting arm, D, which projects slightly above the upper face of the drawbar through a slotcut therein, as is plainly shown in the drawings. A leaf or other suitable spring, E, is secured to the lower face of the drawbar in such a manner that thespring will compel the hook to remain in its normal position (that shown in Fig. 1) excepting when depressed through the action of a cam for uncoupling, as hereinafter set forth.

F is a shaft journaled in proper bearings at the end of the car, and is provided. at either end with a leverhandle, G, by means of which it may be operated. Upon this shaft, and immediately over the heel of the coupling hook or dog O, is rigidly secured a cam, H, arranged in such a manner that upon a partial rotation of the shaft F such cam will depress the for- 6 ward end of the hook, allowing of the free withdrawal of the link, Figs. 1 and 2. It will be observed that I have illustrated a different form of cam in each figure, and as embracing some of the constructions I have 6 in mind; but I do not desire to be confined to either of those shown, as other forms may be adopted to suit the various styles of cars in order that the cutting away of the sill may be avoided as much e s possible. Upon the link of an approaching car entering the mouth of the drawhead the end of the link, sliding up the inclined end of the hook, forces the latter downwardly until the bend of the'link passes over the hook and engages 7 therewith, when the spring compels the hook to assume its original position, completing the coupling.

To unoouple, the brakeman or switchman moves one of the levers at the side of the car until the cam has depressed the hook sufficiently for the withdrawal of the link, and a suitable catch may be attached to the side of the car by means of which the lever may be locked, so as to hold the hook in its depressed position and prevent its coupling when cars come together.

In Fig. 3 it will be observed that the coupling-hook is inserted from the top of the draw-bar, thus dispensing with the use of the 9: spring depending upon the gravity of the. hook to compel the engagement with an entering link, while the outer end of the hook is elevated instead of being depressed to uncouple. Should the hook become broken 5 while the car is upon the road, the coupling may be accomplished by the use of the ordinary pin, Which is inserted through the pinhole I).

I deem it important that the shaft carrying 5 the cam be arranged substantially over the pivot-point of the hook, for by this means the cam operates to both depress and elevate the free end of the said hook, and will serve to hold it in either position, thus relieving the 10 spring, and serving to hold the hook in place, and preventing uncoupling in case the spring should be broken.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a car-coupling device, and in combi- 25 nation With a draw-head provided with a hookcoupler, substantially as described, a cam arranged to depress and elevate the free end of the coupling-hook, substantially as set forth.

2. In a car-coupling device, the combination of the draw-bar A, hook-coupler C, piv- 2o oted Within a recess in the head of said drawbar, shaft F, arranged substantially over the pivot of said coupler, and cam H, rigidly secured to said shaft, and constructed, arranged ,and operating substantially in the man- 25 ner and for the purposes described.

PETER A. AIKMAN.

Witnesses:

E.'SOULLY, H. S. SPRAGUE. 

